Beyond Ballet®
Beyond Ballet®
Beyond Ballet® is a two-year programme with National Youth Ballet that champions emerging talent from different areas of dance and theatre. Artists work with experienced mentors to develop ideas that lead to performances and creative projects.
Beyond Ballet® supports emerging creative artists from all areas of the theatre industry in the early stages of their professional careers. This programme gives them the chance gain invaluable practical skills and experience working alongside industry professionals. Artists also have the chance to create and share their own work and develop their professional network.
Every two years we select a number of emerging choreographers, dance leaders, rehearsal directors and young industry professionals working in lighting design, costume design and stage management aged 18-25 to take part.
“It has been a huge help so far in learning about different roles in the industry, as well as pathways into them. Hands-on experience has been amazing, and something rare in our early careers.”
“I have gained skills in leadership, time management and communication. The networking element has been huge too, meeting and working with people who are hugely inspirational has made me consider how I need to present myself to be employable.”
Photo © Jules Renahan
Since 2021, Beyond Ballet® has created opportunities for young and early-career artists to develop their choreographic practice, gain professional experience and collaborate with National Youth Ballet (NYB) and leading artists across the dance sector.
2023–2024: Evolving Visions
Between 2023 and 2024, Beyond Ballet® Choreographers Amy Groves, Rosie Mackley and Savannah Ffrench created new work with our Residential Performance Company. They worked alongside Beyond Ballet® Assistant Lighting Designer Ros Chase, Assistant Stage Managers Beri Valentine and Becky Hyson, and Assistant Costume Supervisor Polly Mitton.
Rosie, Amy, Ros and Polly also collaborated to create two original Beyond Ballet® works, which were performed at Sadler’s Wells as part of our Evolving Visions performance.
Alongside this, young choreographers Ross Black and Hannah George worked with Beyond Ballet® Lighting Designer Ros Chase and Costume Supervisors Elisa Mozzanica and Polly Mitton as part of our All In! inclusive ballet programme. Their work was also presented at Sadler’s Wells as part of Evolving Visions.
2023: Building the Beyond Ballet® Network
In 2023, we launched the Beyond Ballet® Network, expanding our support to reach even more young and early-career professionals.
Choreographers Catherine Sleeman, Harry Wilson, Anna Smith and Joeley Gibson joined the wider Network, taking part in online professional skills development activities designed to support their creative and professional development.
As part of this work, Catherine, Joeley, Amy and Hannah collaborated with English Heritage Shout Out Loud Young Producers to create Beyond The Plaques, a short dance film.
Beyond The Plaques has been nominated for several awards, including at Cinedanza Festival and Miami Light Screendance Festival, and has been selected for festivals including the Dance East Film Festival.
2021–2022: Developing New Choreographic Voices
In 2021/22, Beyond Ballet® artists Bianca Mikahil, Alice O’Brien and Tierney Lawlor worked with NYB and received valuable mentoring opportunities with the company. Their time with NYB culminated in an exciting opportunity for all three artists to create short choreographic works for the National Youth Ballet, giving them the chance to develop their artistic voices and gain experience creating work for young dancers.
Where Are They Now?
The impact of Beyond Ballet® continues beyond artists’ time with the programme. Former Beyond Ballet® artist Arielle Smith, who took part in the programme in 2015/16, has gone on to establish an exciting international choreographic career. In 2024, she co-choreographed The Nutcracker with English National Ballet and is now an Associate Choreographer with San Francisco Ballet.
Through opportunities to create, collaborate, learn and connect with industry professionals, Beyond Ballet® continues to nurture the next generation of choreographic talent.
